Have you heard the term “mommy makeover?” Today, we’re going to break down what this makeover actually is, answering all of your most common questions about this procedure: what does a mommy makeover include, how long does a mommy makeover take, and what is the best age for a mommy makeover. Let’s get started.
What Does a Mommy Makeover Include?
A “mommy makeover” is a set of cosmetic (plastics) surgeries all done at the same time to help restore your body closer to its pre-baby form. Many women struggle with weight gain, abdominal muscle separation, breast growth, and loose skin after they give birth. A mommy makeover specifically targets all of these changes at once so that you can restore your pre-birth figure.
Breast Augmentation
Post-birth, the breasts will enlarge for feeding and eventually shrink once breastfeeding ends. This often leaves moms with sagging, empty-feeling breasts. If this is a source of concern for you, there are several options.
- Tighten the skin around the breasts to improve how they sit without increasing or reducing size.
- Reduce the size of the breasts and remove excess skin (if your breasts are too large for your liking).
- Fill the extra skin with implants to give a fuller appearance.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
During a tummy tuck, your surgeon will stitch your vertical abdominal muscles back together, remove any excess skin leftover from pregnancy, and – depending on the amount of skin removed – recreate or relocate the belly button to a natural position.
Liposuction
Liposuction is just fat removal, and it doesn’t include the removal of excess skin. Liposuction is often used during mommy makeovers to remove those stubborn fat deposits that just won’t let go post-baby.
Other Procedures
Your surgeon may also offer other procedures to help address any other post-child bearing concerns. If you have specific wants or needs, make sure to bring them up with your surgeon.
How Long Does a Mommy Makeover Take?
This will, realistically, depend on the procedures you’re having done. You can expect to be under general anesthesia for at least an hour, up to several hours. Liposuction adds quite a bit of time to the surgery, too.
For recovery, you should expect at least four weeks before you can start resuming normal activities. Some aspects of your procedure will take 6-10 weeks to heal.
Will I Scar From a Mommy Makeover?
Unfortunately, yes. The scarring will be pretty extensive, too, but surgeons nowadays are very good at hiding the scars where your clothing will sit. Furthermore, silicone scar heal products can help your scars heal better, faster, and more completely. For more information, check out the following:
Learn More About Scar Healing →
What Is the Best Age for a Mommy Makeover?
It’s best to wait at least till after you finish breastfeeding your last child and your milk has dried up. This will give your surgeon the best idea for what they need to do. Otherwise, the timeline is really up to you, and there is no best age.
We hope this blog was informative and it helps you make a decision that’s right for you and your family!